Dedicated Engineer. Lifelong Learner. Generous Aggie.

As the rain poured down on a cold January day in 1981, John Lyons ’20 stood shivering in wet clothes, waiting in line to enroll in his first semester at Texas A&M University.  Apprehensive and soaked, John wondered what he was doing.  He wanted a chance to change the trajectory of his life and he decided to register.  

Now, two degrees and a successful engineering career later, John has established an endowed scholarship and planned gift to support students in the Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution.

“I was soaked to the skin, freezing, and I was thinking, ‘Do you really want it this bad?’” John recalled. “And of course — you know the answer to that — I went in, and I registered.”

John registered for two classes that first semester so he could also work a full-time job from 4:00 p.m. until after midnight. After several semesters balancing complex work and school schedules, John was stunned to realize he had reached 90 credit hours — earning senior status and becoming eligible to order his Aggie Ring.

“I felt like an Aggie, and I felt like I was on the way,” he said. “I was going to do it. I could see that I was going to finish — and not run out of money for once.”

Graduation in 1982 looked different than it does today. Back then, names of graduating seniors were posted on a wall. If a student had a red star by their name, it meant there was a problem. John and his now lifelong friend and classmate went to check the list together. 

“She went up, as I was too chicken to look,” he said. “I go, ‘I’m not looking.’ So she goes, and of course, typical Cindy said, “Wow, there is a red star here.”  You know what? Turns out it was the name below mine, and she was just pulling my chain. That was the first time I really had the sense that I had finally done it.” John was excited to graduate.

After graduating, John moved to Dallas to start the engineering career he had worked so hard to earn.

“You know, I never really stopped going to school,” he said. “But [Texas A&M] transformed my life in ways I never could have imagined — things I never thought were possible.”

Since earning his undergraduate degree in telecommunications, John’s love for Aggieland and his passion for education has remained central in his life. He was involved with the Industrial Advisory Board for over 20 years. He made matching grant donations from various employers and started endowed scholarships in the name of former professors.  

In March 2025, while recovering from a broken femur in a hospital bed, John looked back on his journey and decided to establish the John Lyons ’20 Endowed Engineering Technology Scholarship.

“I knew I wanted to give back to the place that helped me in my career journey,” John said. “It wasn’t just about the education—it was everything I became while I was there.”

John has supported several educational institutions and even taught for the College of Engineering in 2021. Through this scholarship, he hopes to lighten the financial burden for students pursuing undergraduate degrees in engineering technology — especially those juggling work and school like he did.

He still remembers a line from the commencement speech given by former interim Texas A&M President John L. Junkins during his master’s graduation.

“He made a very profound speech, and one of the things that stuck with me is — and I’ll carry for the rest of my life: ‘You come here to learn so that you can earn, so you can come and give back to make a difference,’” John said.

John continues to live out that philosophy. In addition to his scholarship, he now co-teaches adult education classes in his community.

The Aggie Spirit has been within John since the first time he stepped onto campus. His passion, determination and commitment to learning shaped him as an engineer and a person, and continue to shape the lives of those around him.

Through his generosity, John is opening doors for future generations of Aggie engineers and showing his gratitude to all the professors and staff at Texas A&M who give so much.